4 Essential Daypack Features for Travel

Feb 10, 2018

Whether you're on a road trip across the U.S. or backpacking through Europe, a good backpack is essential. And though you most likely will be bringing a suitcase, or a large "backpacking" pack, everyday excursions while traveling call for something more compact and convenient: the trusty daypack. So here are 4 essential daypack features for traveling.

1. Extra Padding for Electronics

We're traveling. You have a laptop, I have a laptop. I have a camera, you have a camera. And if you're a lucky son of a gun, you might even have a drone. That's why we'll start with this.

Your travel daypack should be an electronics safe zone. After all, you did just throw down a grand for that new MacBook Pro. Do you want your $10 Jansport that you've owned since middle-school to be the destruction of it? Didn't think so.

But don't just take our word for it. In our interview with New York Times Best-Selling Author and travel expert, Matt Kepnes (aka Nomadic Matt), he told us that laptop padding is the most important feature for him when searching for a new daypack. Keeping electronics safe while traveling is one of the most prevalent concerns nowadays, and you want to make sure they're safe and sound.

PSA: We have nothing but love for Jansport. We're 90's kids, so we of course rocked one too. Represent.

2. All-Weather Durability

﻿When you're on the road, the weather can change in an instant, and you don't want to let gloomy weather sour the mood and ruin your plans. You need a backpack that can go wherever you go. Durable, water-resistant fabric is a must.

Obviously, one of the biggest threats to a backpack's contents is water. Whether you're climbing a waterfall, spilling your drink on yourself, or just going outside on a rainy day, you need to be confident that your possessions will be protected. Be good to your future self and belongings, and get something water-resistant.

As far as durability, some of the strongest backpack fabrics around are 1000D Polyester and 1050D Nylon. Knowing that your backpack is not going to tear open, spilling it's contents onto the ground, gives you a peace of mind when hiking a rugged trail or exploring a foreign city.

Conclusion: The stuff you keep inside your pack needs to be dry and all in one-piece. Without it's contents, a backpack has no rhyme or reason.

3. Comfortable Design

A no-brainer. It's not uncommon to spend 8-12 hours on your feet every day while traveling, exploring whichever city or wilderness you happen to be immersed in.

Something with comfortable, breathable shoulder straps, as well as extra padding in the back can be a huge help. Also, keep your eye out for packs with optimal weight distribution. Lightweight with shape-hold is good, especially if it encourages the placement of the heaviest items closest to you, like having the laptop sleeve further-in, toward your back. So save yourself the literal aches and pains that come with a cheaply designed daypack, and choose something made with long usage in mind.

4. Classic Style

Just because you are a tourist doesn't mean you have to look like one. So last, but not least, a backpack with timeless style finishes off our list.

One of the hardest things about traveling is making sure to pack the right clothing and accessories for every occasion. You can only pack what fits in your suitcase, but you need to be able to adapt to whatever environment you find yourself in. So finding a daypack that you can take from a hike in the Alps, to a night out in Berlin, to a business meeting in Tokyo, is extremely ergonomical (and economical!). Wherever your plans take you, you'll look the part.

Now obviously, we think our own backpacks rule (and hopefully you do too!). So, of course we think it would be wise of you to check out our new Adventurist Daypack, if you happen to be looking for a trusty daypack for your next adventure.

But more than anything, we encourage you to look around at all the backpacks out there, and remember to keep these 4 features in mind. All backpacks are not created equal, and we think you deserve the best.